Evening Republican, Volume 14, Number 256, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 27 October 1910 — MANY YEARS A SECTION MAN [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

MANY YEARS A SECTION MAN

J. D. Forte of Wheeling, Mo„ v Has Been a Boss ‘Blnce 1876, and Still Is In Active Service. John Daniel Forte, sixty-eight:years old, has been “boss” of the Wheeling (Mo.) section of the Burlington^rallroad for thirty-four years, having beon assigned to it April 1, 1876,' and-held It since then. He began driving iteam on construction in 1857, when he was fifteen. With the exception of throe

years- In the army, his service with the road has bee i without a break. Forte doesn’t make that exception, because he says his army service was' in the interest of the road, driving away bushwhacke/s who sought to interrupt traffic. In point of service. Forte is entitled tc the distinction of the longest record on the line across the state. Next to him, as far as known, is Foreman Allison of the 86C* tion at Shelbina, who began work in 1862. Allison’s son, Felix Allison, is engineer of the Chlcago-Mlssoori limited fast train between Chicago and Kansas City. Forte is in actual, vigorous everyday service. He is as strong as any of his men, and takes as much pride in keeping his section straight as any youngster Just promoted to be "boss.” Mr. Forte is not thinking of retiring fbr many years yet. His men think a great deal of him.

John Daniel Forte, the Oldest Section Boss.